Just like last week, the vampire team is stepping up its game as Ewell's Vicki continues to transition into her new vampire self, full of cravings, obnoxious whining, and silly confidence. And as this storyline develops, Ewell is quickly evolving into the vampire brothers new toy as they both attempt to convince her which path to take. And it is her bad acting of this somewhat struggle (as Ewell seems pretty ready to cross over) that is the series clear attempt to catch up to its competitors.
The World of the Modern Vampire
One relief this series does provide is that it allows the vampire world to function out in the open. Much similar to Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series, The Vampire Diaries commits to the idea that a modern vampire is probable and their world believable. However, where Twilight actually triumphs is that the modern vampire world contains some sort of order and self-government. Similar to HBO's True Blood, Meyer's books (and films) illustrate how vampires today cope with the modern age, choices of ways of life, and laws that are in place to protect the vitality of their community. The lack of this structure actually stunts The Vampire Diaries ability to successfully convince its audience of its version of the modern vampire.
However, much like True Blood and Twilight, a vampire's true nature, identity, and history is revealed as an act of love. In both those stories the male vampire explains his true self in order to validate his love, while also warning his lover of the complications his emotions present. Yet, The Vampire Diaries attempts to resist this formula as Dobrev's Elena upon learning of Wesley's Stefan declares her acceptance of his identity, but not of his love.
Love Rejection?
This rejection allows the series, mostly this episode, to appear more interested in choices rather than outcomes. Does the audience care if Dobrev and Wesley are together? Or merely that their circumstances make that decision, among others, more complicated? Does the audience even care if Ewell is a vampire? Or just whether or drug slugging habits will prove to make the decision inevitable? Well, regardless of where the audience stands, it is clear that the show desperately wants to entrench these vampire themed choices into a high school context. A context that revolves around sex, drugs, freedom, alcohol even the development of self.
And all of these are present in this episode, set to a pulsating soundtrack as usual. Clearly every high school has a Halloween party at their school that involves free flowing alcohol and low-cut costumes. Right? Once again the CW's high school obsession does the story injustice and rather than, like in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, providing an ironic backdrop it just encourages silly drama. Amidst yellow school buses and make out sessions, death seems thrown away.
Even if one cannot wonder if there will be more episodes, one has to wonder who is watching? Does anyone get into this story? As this fall draws to an end, the shows fate will be seen and someone will be watching.
